UPDATE
Bell digital signal operates on
CDMA, the most extensive, covering the largest areas in Canada.
Bell has its own analog towers but not as many as Rogers.
Bell only offers per minute billing and high cost of additional air time, roaming and long distance charges. Buyers beware!
Rogers has two digital networks,
TDMA and GSM, (GSM is the network used in most of the world for those who travel outside North America) GSM works great in urban areas as well, and TDMA has strong signals in buildings and elevators.
Rogers has the most extensive analog coverage in Canada.
Rogers only offers per minute billing and has additional charges similar to Bell.
Rogers is buying Fido and will continue to offer the Fido brand.
Fido operates on the
GSM network.
Fido customers will continue to enjoy per second billing, really good rate plans and will benefit greatly form gaining access to all the GSM towers combined (Fido and Rogers). Additional air time, roaming, and long distance are billed at very low rates
Last but not least, is
Telus.
Telus digital operates on the
CDMA network. Telus uses its own towers as well as all Bell CDMA towers, giving Telus clients the largest digital coverage in Canada.
All Telus handsets use CDMA. Really old Telus handsets used Rogers analog towers when the digital signal was absent. Since 2000 all Telus handsets use all analog towers when needed, but with their extensive digital coverage, it is rarely needed.
Telus has more rate plans to chose from than any other carrier. They offer
match-it plans so they can match plans from other carriers.
Telus has the lowest cost plans and can offer
per second billing, matching Fido's low cost additional air time, roaming, and long distance rates.
Telus also offers the
"MIKE" brand digital network that has a very powerful signal that works very well in buildings and elevators.
Summary for best coverage and rate plans:
Fido if you need a world phone.
Telus if you only use the phone in North America.
